It's 10 p.m. and your child is crying that their legs hurt. By breakfast, they're running around as if nothing happened. That pattern has a name, growing pains, and although it's common and usually harmless, the name is a bit misleading.
Written by Vita Globe Editorial Team | Reviewed against peer-reviewed pediatric rheumatology research and Mayo Clinic guidance
What are growing pains at night?
Growing pains are aching or throbbing pains in both legs, usually the shins, calves, thighs or behind the knees, that come on in the late afternoon or at night and are gone by morning[1]. They mainly affect children aged 3–12[1]; one Australian survey found them in about 37% of 4- to 6-year-olds[2]. Massage, warmth and reassurance help most kids[1][3].
Caveat: Despite the name, there's no evidence they're caused by growth, and the true cause is unknown[1][3]. Pain in one leg, in a joint or during the day needs a doctor's look.
Sources: Uziel & Hashkes 2007 · Evans & Scutter 2004 · Mayo Clinic · Verified 2026-09-28
IN THIS ARTICLE
What do growing pains feel like?
Children usually describe an ache, cramp or throbbing in their legs. A review in Pediatric Rheumatology describes the typical pattern[1]:
- Where: in the muscles rather than the joints, most often the shins, calves, thighs or behind the knees, and almost always in both legs.
- When: late in the day or at night, sometimes waking a child from sleep.
- How long: minutes to hours, then gone completely by morning.
- How often: in episodes, with pain-free stretches of days to months in between.
They're very common. Estimates range from 3% to 37% of children depending on how they're defined[1], and a survey of 1,445 families in South Australia, using a validated questionnaire, put the figure at 36.9% among young children aged 4–6[2]. Peak age is around 6, and they usually fade by late childhood[1].
Are growing pains actually caused by growing?
Probably not. There's no evidence linking the pains to periods of rapid growth[1], and Mayo Clinic notes the cause is unknown[3]. Possible contributors that have been suggested include muscle soreness after an active day of running, climbing and jumping (considered the most likely explanation), flexible joints, foot posture, stress and low vitamin D, though none has been proven as the cause[3].
That's why we'd treat the name as a label for a pattern, not an explanation. For what the research does say about sleep and actual growth, see do kids sleep more during growth spurts? If you're wondering about your child's vitamin D, our guide to vitamin D and calcium for growing kids covers food sources and when to ask about testing.
How can you help your child at night?
Treatment focuses on comfort and reassurance, because the outlook is excellent[1]. Things that often help:
- Massage the sore muscles gently[1][3].
- Warmth, like a warm (not hot) heating pad or a warm bath before bed[3].
- Stretching the calves and thighs during the day[1].
- Pain relief such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen on bad nights[1], dosed for your child's weight. Ask your pediatrician or pharmacist first.
- Supportive shoes or inserts may help kids with flat, rolled-in feet[1]; your pediatrician can advise.
- Keep them active. Limiting play doesn't prevent growing pains[3].
Calm, matter-of-fact reassurance matters too. Kids sleep better when they know the pain is familiar, harmless and will pass.
When is leg pain not growing pains?
Growing pains are diagnosed by their typical pattern, after other causes are ruled out[1]. Mayo Clinic advises contacting your child's doctor if leg pain[3]:
| Red flag | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Is in only one leg | Growing pains are almost always in both legs |
| Happens during the day or is still there in the morning | Growing pains resolve by morning |
| Is in a joint, or the joint is swollen, red or tender | Growing pains are in the muscles |
| Comes with fever, limping, rash, weakness, poor appetite or unusual tiredness | These point to other causes |
| Follows an injury, or keeps getting worse | May need an exam or imaging |
| Interferes with normal activities | Needs a full assessment |
Also mention it if your child describes an urge to move their legs, or creepy-crawly feelings that ease with movement, since restless legs syndrome can look similar[1].
How do you protect sleep when pains keep coming back?
A few habits help on nights when legs are likely to ache, like after a big sports day:
- Build in a wind-down. A warm bath and gentle stretches can be part of the regular bedtime routine.
- Keep a plan by the bed. Know what you'll do (massage, heating pad) so night wakings stay short and calm.
- Keep a simple log. Note dates, activity levels and where it hurt. It's useful for your pediatrician and can reveal patterns.
- Hold the usual schedule. School-age kids need 9–12 hours of sleep[4], and overtired kids tend to cope worse with discomfort.
The honest summary
- Growing pains are common, happen in both legs at night and are gone by morning.
- They aren't clearly linked to growth; the cause is unknown.
- Massage, warmth, stretching and reassurance help most children.
- One-sided, daytime or joint pain, or pain with fever or limping, needs a doctor.
Our option
Vita Globe Kids' Day & Night Bundle
Neither product treats growing pains. For families building a steady day-and-night routine, this bundle pairs Kids' Multivitamin Gummies (vitamins A, C, D and E, B vitamins, zinc, iodine and choline; non-GMO and gluten-free; best given with a meal) with Kids' Melatonin 1mg Gummies, 1 mg per gummy about 30 minutes before bed, for occasional sleeplessness. Follow the label, and talk to your pediatrician about recurring leg pain before adding any supplement. Not for children under two.
Frequently asked questions
Why do growing pains happen at night?
Nobody knows for sure. One leading idea is muscle soreness after a busy, active day that shows up once a child is resting[3].
At what age do growing pains start and stop?
They mainly affect children aged 3–12, peak around age 6 and usually resolve by late childhood[1].
Do growing pains mean my child is having a growth spurt?
Not necessarily. Research hasn't found a link between growing pains and periods of rapid growth[1].
When should I worry about my child's leg pain?
Call your doctor if pain is in one leg, in a joint, during the day, after an injury, getting worse, or comes with fever, limping, swelling, rash, weakness or tiredness[3].
What helps growing pains go away fast?
Gentle massage and warmth are the simplest comfort measures; stretching and, when needed, a child-dosed pain reliever may also help[1][3].
Sources
- Uziel Y, Hashkes PJ. Growing pains in children. Pediatr Rheumatol Online J. 2007;5:5. doi:10.1186/1546-0096-5-5
- Evans AM, Scutter SD. Prevalence of "growing pains" in young children. J Pediatr. 2004;145(2):255–258. doi:10.1016/j.jpeds.2004.04.045
- Mayo Clinic Staff. Growing pains: Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic. mayoclinic.org
- Paruthi S, Brooks LJ, D'Ambrosio C, et al. Recommended Amount of Sleep for Pediatric Populations: A Consensus Statement of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. J Clin Sleep Med. 2016;12(6):785–786. doi:10.5664/jcsm.5866
About the Vita Globe Editorial Team
The Vita Globe Editorial Team researches and writes our wellness content, working from peer-reviewed research, systematic reviews and guidance from bodies such as the NIH and the FDA. We cite our sources inline and update articles when the evidence changes.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Talk to your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or caring for a child.
